Oshiomhole demotes principal, rewards teachers

Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has given cash gifts to some teachers for their commitment to duty. He also ordered the demotion of the Principal of Annunciation Catholic College Junior Secondary School over alleged incompetence. Besides, Oshiomhole ordered the immediate promotion of three others.

The governor who announced this measure while on an on-the-spot assessment of the attendance and punctuality of teachers in schools at Edo Central said: “it gives me some confidence to find all is not lost.”

“It gives me some confidence to find all is not lost.”

“You are an example of what is possible and I am proud of you. It gives me some comfort that even in the midst of this madness, there are some people who we can still be proud of, who take their responsibilities seriously. It gives me some relief. It is worrisome to find that majority of teachers are involved in late coming or absenteeism. And that is not the best we can do for our state.

“When we punish those who are guilty of late coming or absenteeism, we should reward those who are doing their job well. We have to use the carrot and stick. I am happy that we have a few of you who recognise that the work place is a serious place and you have a contract and you have a duty to service that contract”, he said.

Oshiomhole who reiterated his belief in education added, “We must bequeath to our children a better society and education is at the heart of our future.”

He noted that if all Nigerians work according to the rules and regulations and give their best to the country and state, the country will grow”; adding that “if we keep looking for excuses, the country will keep having challenges.

“I am happy you give me some confidence to find that all is not lost because it hurts to find that teachers do not take their jobs seriously. Edo can’t be the same again.”

“Every child may not be a graduate no matter what we do. But every child is entitled to free qualitative education; that requires that we make the right investment in infrastructure.”

Tothe principal who was demoted to a classroom teacher, Oshiomhole said: “As a principal, you never ensured that your teachers complied with the regulation. You led your teachers in coming late and we will not retain you as a principal. We will down grade you to a classroom teacher. A leader must lead by example.”